catmel
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I'm kind of frustrated. I've taken in some considerations and done more research but....
My nitrates seem to hover around 20ppm. I know it could be worse, but I'd love to be able to get them lower. I've tried almost everything ( except start up a sump or fuge). I've cut down on feeding, done more PWC ( I did a 10 gallon water change today - still about 20 ppm!) I do about 10-20% weekly. I do use a ro/di filter -tested the water out of that, didnt appear to show any nitrates.
I do have a HOB filter - penguin 400. I replaced the filters about 2-3 weeks ago. I rinsed them out well when I did my PWC. How the heck do I get my nitrates down??
In your guys opinion which may be the best solution:
Add more CUC members to get the waste? ( I added several snails recently)
Get rid of the HOB ( or replace the filters more often?) - K know some mentioned they dont use one, I'm not sure if this is my problem..
Make the HOB into a fuge ( if so, how?? )
Add cheato , culpera etc to my main?
Add amquel plus to lower ( does this really remove nitrate)?
Buy a more expensive skimmer? ( I have the coralife rated up to 65 gallons.. seems to be making good skimmate though)
other suggestions...?
I know these seem like newbie questions, but im just frustrated. Not sure what else to try. I've done my research, but no luck yet
thanks!!
My nitrates seem to hover around 20ppm. I know it could be worse, but I'd love to be able to get them lower. I've tried almost everything ( except start up a sump or fuge). I've cut down on feeding, done more PWC ( I did a 10 gallon water change today - still about 20 ppm!) I do about 10-20% weekly. I do use a ro/di filter -tested the water out of that, didnt appear to show any nitrates.
I do have a HOB filter - penguin 400. I replaced the filters about 2-3 weeks ago. I rinsed them out well when I did my PWC. How the heck do I get my nitrates down??
In your guys opinion which may be the best solution:
Add more CUC members to get the waste? ( I added several snails recently)
Get rid of the HOB ( or replace the filters more often?) - K know some mentioned they dont use one, I'm not sure if this is my problem..
Make the HOB into a fuge ( if so, how?? )
Add cheato , culpera etc to my main?
Add amquel plus to lower ( does this really remove nitrate)?
Buy a more expensive skimmer? ( I have the coralife rated up to 65 gallons.. seems to be making good skimmate though)
other suggestions...?
I know these seem like newbie questions, but im just frustrated. Not sure what else to try. I've done my research, but no luck yet
thanks!!